Would You Be Convicted?

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting (sacrifice), and almsgiving (charity).  As I mentioned in my last blog, it’s a time to refocus on what’s truly important: living a life as a disciple of Jesus.   As a disciple, Jesus doesn’t ask us to do anything He didn’t already do. All He did was an example for us to imitate. 

He prayed constantly, with those around him and by himself.  He often went off to a quiet place alone to pray and speak with His Father.  He worked endlessly to heal the sick around him. He cast out demons that possessed people and restored their lives physically and spiritually.  He gave food to the hungry and He taught everyone about His Father and the kingdom of heaven.  He reached out to sinners and met them where they were in life.  He helped them to seek repentance and reform their lives. Jesus instructed his disciples and apostles to do the same, to go to the ends of the earth to make disciples and spread the gospel. 

As Lent began this week, I was listening to a podcast by Fr. Michael Schmitz and he said something that I have been thinking about all week.   He said as a teenager one of his high school teachers proposed a situation to the class.  He said, “If Christianity were to become illegal and you had to stand trial for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?”   Fr. Mike said it made a profound impression on him. 

Naturally, I began to think about what I do that could be used for evidence.   My first thought was I pray daily and have established a prayer routine. I say grace before meals. I go to mass every Sunday and two to three times during the week.  As my list grew, I began to build some confidence; things were adding up.    Then Fr. Mike said, “Let me ask you, would they have enough evidence to convict you? You can’t count daily prayer or going to mass or church services.  What is it that you do for others that would be evidence?”   BOOM!   And just like that, my list was gone.  This is where the rubber meets the road.

Now this has been my focus through this first week of Lent.  I have been questioning if there would be enough evidence to convict me and if not, then I have some changes to make.    What great timing God has because isn’t this what Lent is all about?  Changing.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in my routines and my world that I miss the opportunities to be Christ to others.   I need to be living my life seeing the needs of others and then responding to their needs. 

Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “If you can’t feed 1,000 people, then feed just one.”  I can do that.  I can bring food to St. Vincent de Paul Society or the food banks.   I have more than enough clothes and shoes, so I could go through my closets and donate these items or even purchase new clothes to donate.   I can open the door for someone using a walker and I can reach out to someone who may be sad, lonely, or need someone to talk to.  I could bring dinner to a family when they have lost a loved one or I could babysit for a couple that just needs some time away from the kids to be alone.

This Lent I will continue to pray and go to mass but I must change and become intentional to help others.  I will try to be more aware of what I can do for those around me to be a true Christian and do for others as Jesus calls me to do.  And this must be a permanent change, not just for 40 days.   I want there to be evidence to convict me as a Christian.

Let us begin today by examining our lives as to whether there is enough evidence to convict us as Christians.   Let us be diligent in our prayer life focusing on Jesus.   Let us be the Christian that goes out and fulfills the needs of those that we encounter.